Debit cards are not new to modern shoppers. One swipe and we get what we want. But, have you ever noticed the logo on your cards? And if you did, have you ever wondered the role it plays and its significance in day to day activities?
Well, we are here to help you understand what certain logos mean and how each logo differs from the other. Let’s dive in!
Debits cards have made banking transactions really simple. Whether you want to withdraw cash or purchase items online or transfer money, all these transactions can be done through a debit card. And there are several types of debit cards available.
In India, banks typically provide four types of debit cards based on the network carriers, namely, Visa card, the MasterCard, the Maestro card, and the RuPay card. While the first three belong to the international payment system, RuPay is domestic.
RuPay, VISA, Master and Maestro are payment networks that have partnered with the banks to issue debit cards to the customers. Until RuPay was introduced, the latter three dominated the Indian market.
However, this was posing a problem to the Indian population, since not all parts of India has access to banking facilities. Additionally, even the merchant systems present in the rural areas did not support international payment systems.
RuPay came into existence to curb these problems. This domestic payment system increased the accessibility to financial services all over the country. It helped include the rural population as well.
So, how different is RuPay from VISA? Let’s find out!
RuPay, since its introduction, has become increasingly popular in India. Like VISA, you can see RuPay debit cards are being issued to customers for all needs and necessities. But, when asked to choose between the two, most users are not aware of the key differences between them.
To help customers differentiate between the two card associates, we have compared their characteristics based on a few parameters:
Cards: RuPay cards are only available as debit cards. Your bank's savings account is linked to the card. VISA platform, on the other hand, supports both credit and debit cards.
Card Acceptance: The RuPay debit card is widely accepted at a variety of online and offline merchants throughout India. You can also pay your utility bills online using your RuPay debit card. However, the RuPay card is only accepted in India. You cannot use the RuPay debit card to purchase items from international websites. RuPay also does not work when you are traveling abroad.
VISA is an internationally accepted payment system. You can use it in any country in the world as it is globally accepted for payments. Since VISA is available for both debit and credit cards, you can choose either depending on your requirement.
Processing Time: RuPay cards are more practical for domestic use and will make your life easier as compared to Visa. The reason being that RuPay is a domestic payment network that can work quickly as compared to Visa. This is because whenever you make a transaction, the data is sent to the payment network for verification.
So, for RuPay cards, the data is processed within the country which takes lesser time whereas, for Visa, the data is sent to out of India servers inside the US and takes longer time to process.
Also, RuPay cards don’t require any internet connection or data connection in order to make a purchase. Hence, they are more suitable for local payments within the country.
Processing Fees: RuPay debit card transactions are processed entirely within India. Processing fees for domestic transactions are generally lower than fees for visa card transactions.
Because Visa is an international payment system, the transaction is processed in another country. As a result, the processing fee charged by the service provider is higher.
Structure of Fee: There is no entry fee or a quarterly fee for the RuPay debit card. Banks must pay VISA a quarterly fee as well as an initiation fee for VISA debit cards.
Primary Customers: The RuPay debit card was introduced as a means to reach out to untapped consumers in the country's rural areas and connect them to banking and financial services.
The Visa card is still a popular option in metros, tier I and tier II cities. Banks in India's major cities, however, are now providing RuPay debit cards.
Security: RuPay and Visa debit cards can be used for transactions all over the world, guaranteeing you that your card details are secure. Both RuPay and Visa transactions are processed through a secure gateway. Visa debit cards are processed internationally, but the gateway is secure.
Market Presence: The Visa debit payment system is well-known and widely accepted around the world. The VISA card can be used for a variety of transactions, including cash withdrawals, all over the world. The RuPay debit card will soon be made available in international markets as well.
RuPay and VISA payment systems are in place to make financial transactions simpler to the users. While VISA is accepted globally, RuPay caters to the domestic users. Both the cards serve the same purpose and have fewer distinctive features. Now that you are aware of the differences and similarities, choose the right card that is suitable for you and your requirements.
Ans: RuPay Cards primarily meet the needs of Indian consumers, merchants, and banks. The flexibility of the product platform, high levels of acceptance, and the strength of the RuPay brand all contribute to a better product experience.
Ans: No. RuPay cards are only for domestic use. However, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) that issues RuPay debit cards is working hard to make RuPay debit card an international presence. So ensure that you have a debit card with an international payment associate if your are going abroad.
Ans: It depends on the kind of transactions you do. While the average Indian customer can avail more benefits using RuPay in the country, VISA is your only option abroad. So, the choice relies on your requirements.
Ans: When you fill out the form to open an account, choose RuPay debit card as your preferred method. A RuPay debit card will be issued to you by the bank.
Ans: Since RuPay debit cards are processed domestically, transactions via RuPay debit cards are faster. However, the difference is a matter of seconds and negligible.
Ans: RuPay debit cards are cheaper in this regard primarily because they are processed domestically and also because they were popularized following the government's financial inclusion campaign.
Simple. Deactivate your current RuPay card, and apply for a VISA card. Since it is a new issue for an existing account, you will charged some fee. The fee depends on your bank and the type of card you choose. (Classic, Gold, Platinum, etc.)
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